Can You Use Orchid Potting Mix For Succulents? Like cacti, succulents are great plants that are easy to maintain. Not only that, these green plants add more color to your home and office environment.
Perhaps you have an orchid potting mix in the house, you may want to use it for your succulents.
But is it a good idea?
Using orchid potting mix for succulents may not be the best option since orchids require different growing conditions compared to succulents. However, with some adjustments, you can make it work. Here are things you need to know on how to use orchid potting mix for succulents and ensure their health and growth.
Can You Use Orchid Potting Mix for Succulents?
Yes, you can use an orchid potting mix for succulents, but it is not perfect for all types. Desert succulents will likely not thrive well in an orchid potting mix. However, there’s a high chance that tropical succulents will survive.
Now, you will probably be thinking about how to prepare your soil for succulents. But what kind of soil is best for your succulents? How do you prepare the soil for this plants?
Keep on reading as we provide an answer to this question and others in this article!
What Soil Is Best For Succulents?
Succulents do not require regular moisture as they are drought-tolerant plants. Hence, overwatering these plants can cause them to die quickly. A succulent’s potting soil should be well-drained, absorbent, and have a small quantity of organic matter.
A loose soil that contains lots of perlite or pumice and sand will allow the succulents to thrive.
Fortunately, you can prepare your potting soil at home to get the best results. This will allow you to save some money and prepare the soil in a way that will benefit the succulents.
How to Get Your Soil Ready for Succulents
Understand that a perfect succulent soil mixture has three major components: They are sand, perlite (or pumice), and potting soil. Using these three properties in the right proportion depends on the type of succulent you want to plant.
Nevertheless, most succulents’ soil mixtures contain one part of pumice or perlite and two portions of sand and potting soil each.
1. Pumice Or Perlite
Both pumice and perlite improve soil drainage and aeration for succulents. Although both soil amendments perform the same function, some people prefer perlite for succulents.
Perlite is cheap, lightweight comes in various sizes, and improves air circulation. But perlite is also dusty, which means you need to wear a protective mask whenever you want to use it.
On the other hand, pumice is more expensive and may not be available at all times. However, it requires little processing, doesn’t blow away, and improves aeration.
2. Potting Soil
Potting soil provides the organic matter and soils your succulent needs to survive. So when making a choice, buy the one that is light and doesn’t hold moisture. Avoid using heavy garden soils, soils that retain water, or those that contain vermiculite.
Succulents thrive well in potting soil that doesn’t retain water, not the kinds that hold moisture.
3. Sand
Whether your succulents will survive or die is dependent on the type of sand you use. Coarse sand is better and preferable to fine sand as it ensures fast drainage. It also provides the perfect environment for your succulents to gain the necessary nutrients.
Pour your sand, potting soil, and pumice or perlite into the potting mix to create a mixture for planting your succulents.
Tips for Maintaining Succulents In Orchid Potting Mix
For your succulents to grow healthily after planting them in an orchid potting mix, they need maintenance. Let’s discuss simple tips to help you achieve this successfully.
1. Water Requirements
Succulents prefer moderate amounts of water once in a while. While watering the plant, allow the potting mix to dry out. Before watering your succulent, dip a finger or stick into the soil. If it feels wet, you don’t have to add more water. Not watering your succulents is better than overwatering them.
2. Light
Generally, succulents prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Place the plants in a shady area where they can receive some sunlight daily. Exposing your succulents to direct sunlight for a long time can cause them to suffer from sunburn.
3. Fertilizer
Surprisingly, succulents do not require a lot of nutrients to survive. During the plant’s growing period, fertilize the plant moderately. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions before adding fertilizers to your succulents.
3. Repotting
As the succulents begin to grow in the orchid potting mix, the pot may not be able to accommodate its roots again. Sometimes, the nutrient supply to the plants may not be enough to sustain them again. In this case, you’ll have to repot the succulent in a new orchid potting mix. For healthy root development, choose a bigger pot with good drainage holes.
Can You Use Orchid Fertilizer For Succulents?
Yes, you can use orchid fertilizers for succulents the same way you use the soil mix. It is perfectly safe to use orchid fertilizer for your succulents as long as it is rich in the right nutrients.
But avoid applying fertilizer to your plant all the time to prevent harming them. Whenever you want to apply orchid fertilizer to the succulents, dilute it with water.
Summer or spring is the best time to nourish these plants because it is their growing season.
Applying fertilizers to your succulents during winter can kill them because they are in a state of dormancy. During this period, your succulents do not need lots of nutrients.
Are All Succulents Suitable For Orchid Potting Mix?
No, not all succulents are suitable for orchid potting mix. Naturally, succulents can survive in harsh conditions, which is why many homeowners love them.
However, desert succulents may not thrive well in soil that holds moisture. Tropical succulents, which include Aloe ciliaris, Crassula capitella, and Cotyledon orbiculata, will grow well in an orchid potting mix.
Although orchid soil retains moisture, it drains well, making it great for tropical succulents.
Can I Use Regular Potting Mix For Succulents?
It is not advisable to use regular potting mix for succulents as they retain too much water. But if you have excess regular soil at home, you can mix it with mineral grit to achieve your aim. With the mineral grit, the soil will drain quickly, making it more suitable for your succulents.
Final Thoughts
While you can use orchid potting mix for succulents, it will not benefit all types. Tropical succulents will grow well in the orchid potting mix, but the desert succulents may not survive.
Remember, your succulents need potting soil that drains well, is absorbent, and has a small quantity of organic matter.
Do not forget that perfect succulent soil must contain sand, perlite or pumice, and potting soil.
By nature, succulents are tough plants that thrive in dry environments. But without giving them the proper care, these plants may not look beautiful and healthy.
Provide them with the appropriate soil, nutrients, and water, and they will improve your home or office environment.
Also see: Philodendron Micans Propagation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Orchid Potting Mix For Other Plants?
No, you cannot use the orchid potting mix for other plants as it drains water quickly. Moreover, it has some spaces between its particles that allow the orchid’s roots to grow and increase the air supply. Some plants cannot handle these soil properties and will likely die within a short time.
Orchids have roots that gain their nutrients from the air and absorb moisture. Compared to other soils, orchids do not absorb water from the soil. This is why the potting mix used for cultivating them was designed to provide moisture and air.
Can You Grow Succulents in Rocks?
While it is possible to plant succulents on rocks, it is not recommended. Planting the succulents in the rock has its advantages, which include low chances of root rot. However, they will be lacking the necessary nutrients that can help them grow.
Succulents can survive in extreme conditions, but they still need essential nutrients to grow. Some of the nutrients these plants need include potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, zinc, and iron in moderate amounts.
Unfortunately, rocks can’t give succulents enough nutrients to keep them alive for a long time.
Of course, the succulents may survive in the rocks for a few weeks or months, but they will die eventually.
Can You Repot Succulents When You Buy Them?
Yes, it is best to repot succulents when you buy them. There’s a chance that the nursery that sells these plants did not grow them in the ideal soil. Besides, the pot they put the succulents in may be too small. Also, you can’t know for sure if the soil or the pot has pests that could kill the succulents.
To grow a healthy plant, it is better to take the necessary actions after buying them from the store.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
